Tag Archives: elderly

Some of you may remember Solomon, who successfully moved from CCO into his own place in June. This is what he had to say about his apartment at Friendly Towers. “I’m in heaven! I paid my rent on the first of the month. It is such a nice place. I love it!” Solomon expressed how grateful he is to the CCO staff that worked with him while he was homeless and the staff of Friendly Towers. His energy, gratitude and relentless smile is a great encouragement to us all!

If the plight of homeless senior citizens is close to your heart consider donating today. CCO offers shelter to senior citizens and collaborates with agencies and affordable housing sites all over Chicago to secure housing for our most vulnerable populations.

Cornerstone Community Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are 100% tax deductible. If you prefer to make a donation by check, it should be made payable to Cornerstone Community Outreach and mailed to the following address:

Several elderly or aging CCO shelter guests have recently found housing at the Friendly Towers senior housing program. With supportive services, healthy meals, inter-generational living, an on-site medical clinic and access to a beautiful outdoor garden, we rejoice with them and know that they are in good hands.

Find out more about CCO’s partnership with Friendly Towers. We are privileged to work with such a reputable housing program and admire the value of their work.

Aging and elderly homeless people are among the most vulnerable population we serve. This overlooked group of people often struggle with physical challenges that exacerbate their efforts to get housing. The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that “Homeless persons aged 50-65 frequently fall between the cracks of governmental safety nets: while not technically old enough to qualify for Medicare, their physical health, assaulted by poor nutrition and severe living conditions, may resemble that of a 70-year-old.”

34% of CCO’s single homeless shelter residents are over 51 years old. We welcome adults of all ages and often senior citizens and the elderly need the most assistance.

We are privileged to serve homeless senior citizens with shelter, meals and intensive case management services, always with the goal of permanent, stable housing.

If you would like to join CCO in providing a safe and beneficial space for Chicago’s homeless, click on the button below. Thank you!

When we hear the word “homeless” we don’t often think of elderly people. Unfortunately, the number of homeless senior citizens is on the rise in America. We are privileged to know and work with many aging and elderly people at CCO. We are enriched by their wisdom and experience.

In 2008, The Department of Human and Urban Development reported there were 43,450 individuals in homeless shelters over the age of 61. Estimates for the next ten years predict the elderly homeless population will increase by 33 percent and this number will increase to fifty-four percent by 2050.

Elderly homeless people are among the most vulnerable population we serve. This overlooked group of people often struggle with physical challenges that exacerbate their efforts to get housing. The National Coalition for the Homeless reports that “Homeless persons aged 50-65 frequently fall between the cracks of governmental safety nets: while not technically old enough to qualify for Medicare, their physical health, assaulted by poor nutrition and severe living conditions, may resemble that of a 70-year-old.”

We are privileged to know and work with many aging and elderly people at CCO. We are enriched by their wisdom and experience.

Elderly homeless people are among the most vulnerable population we
serve. This overlooked group of people often struggle with physical challenges
that exacerbate their efforts to get housing. The National Coalition for the
Homeless reports that “Homeless persons aged 50-65 frequently fall between
the cracks of governmental safety nets: while not technically old enough to
qualify for Medicare, their physical health, assaulted by poor nutrition and
severe living conditions, may resemble that of a 70-year-old.”
For those over 65 the current maximum monthly SSI benefits ($698.00
for an individual) remains well below the poverty line. Faced with the choice
between food or necessary medication and housing, elderly Americans are
finding it difficult to stay both healthy and housed.
We are privileged to know and work with many aging and elderly people at CCO. We are enriched by their wisdom and experience.

Today's progress, February 15th: the elevator penthouse is almost done.

The bottom of the elevator, the site of the most work.

“I’ll be glad when the elevator is done!” We hear these words all the time from mothers lugging strollers up the stairs to elderly men with health problems and everyone in between. For many of our residents an elevator will not be a luxury, but a necessity.

We are happy to report that each day we see the Sylvia Center coming closer to developing into an accessible building. And we look forward to the day when we can watch the children, senior citizens and chronically ill who live at CCO ride the elevator.

Over 75% of the funds have already been raised for the elevator. We still need $62,000 to finish the project. If you are interested in contributing to this vital project you can donate by using the green Donate button or you can donate by mail at: